Hat blocking machine



Jan. 9, 1940. L. G. BLOUNT 2,186,663

HAT BLOCKING MACHINE Filed June 4, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 9, 1940. L. G. BLOUNT HAT BLOCKING MACHINE Filed June 4, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 lam 5/ G. L foumli Jan. 9, 1940. G. BLOUNT I HAT BLOCKING MACHINE Fi led June 4, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Jan. 9, 1940 I j g 7' v. e H v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HAT BLOCKING MACHINE Lemey G. Blount, Little Rock, Ark. Application June 4, 193a Serial No. 211,877

24 Claims. (Cl. 226-12 I The present invention relates to a hat blockvlded with a steam heating coil posi 'oned ad-' ing" machine and refers particularly to a'machine jacent'its side walls. A sheet or bag of canvas adapted for use in pressing establishments for or other'suitable fabric extends transversely of steaming-.and pressing hats. the receptacle and is secured thereto adjacent An object of the invention is the provision of its open upper end. This sheet covers the steam a machine capable of easily and quickly pressing coil and also a steam outlet located in the bota hat. brim without injuring the interior of the tom of the receptacle. Means are provided which hat'or burning the sweat band during the press--. cooperate with the canvas sheet to'clamp a hat ing operation. in upright position in the receptacle upon the A further object' is to provide a machine capasheet while steam is introduced below the hat, 10 ble of .rapid adjustment to accommodate hats to eifect a quick and efficient pressing of the hat Within a wide range of sizes. brim and produce a sharp. crease where the brim Another object is the provision of a machine turns up from the crown. Before-the steam is incapable of producing a sharp crease at the point troduced into the bottom of the receptacle, it is 15 where the brim joins the crown of the hat and at first passed through the coil to initially heat the 15 the same time completely sealing the sweat band receptacle. In this connection the steam from from injury by thev heating medium during the the coil is utilized to give theexterior ofthe hat creasing and pressing operation. 7 a preliminary steaming. This isaccomplished by Another object is to provide a sweat bandpro- I connecting the end of the coil:to a double walled tector which is adjustable to accommodate hats kettle or container positioned exteriorly of the of varioussizes. This protector comprises a flexreceptacle and preferably mounted on the sup- ,ible, covered spring steel band capable of being porting frame. Thus, the steam first passes coiled upon itself toa size where it can be laced through he il, an n en er th k ttle t in a hatthen uncoiled without restraint into give' the hat'a preliminary steaming while the v 5 clamping engagement with the sweat band; hat is on a block. Thereafter the hat is removed -A further object is to provide a hat receiving fromthe kettle and'lured in the usual manner. receptacle having a steam heating coil surround- It is then placed in inverted position in a flange ing a brim pressing mechanism, in combination stand and flange of appropriate size and shape.

- with a hat steaming kettle connected to one end The hat is then clamped intheflange stand by a of the steam coil whereby steam, after passing specially constructed flexiblemetal band covered 0 through thecoil, will, enter the kettle and. effect with canvas or other suitable material. This a preliminary steaming operation on the exterior band iscapable of being'coiled upon itself to a of the hat prior to its introduction into the brim size which will per it o placed in the hat.

pressing receptacle. h The band is then releasedand allowed to uncoil With the foregoing and other objects in view, about and completely cover the sweat band of the the invention will now be more particularly dehat; t y functioning a a ea s for detachscribed, reference being" had to the accompanyably clampingthe hat in the flange stand and for ing drawings, wherein: Y completely sealing and protecting the sweat band Figure 1 is an enlarged vertical section through from live steam when it is subsequently intro- 40 the hat brim PTeSSing eptacle and its supportduced into the bottom of the receptacle. With 40 ingiramea the metal covered band in position within the Figure 2 s a front elevation of the machine; hat, the flange stand and hat are placed in 'up- Fleure 3 F a slde elfavatlon e e right position in the receptacle in contact with Figure 4 1S a P1911 vliew partly m Sectlon of the the flexible sheet or canvas bag. Means are machine then operated to securely clamp the stand and 45 Figure 5 is detail of the mechanism for actu' hat in the receptacle so that the flexible sheet ating the curved sheet clamping arms' I willhave a ,pressmg efiect upon the hat br m. g i fi g 1s a Y Sweat p mtecmng i Steam is then introduced into the bottom of the Figure 7 is a section on line Figure receptacle whereit acts on the. sheet pressed brim. Referring to the drawings the machine The-hat is maintained in clamped. position until .prises generally a supporting frame or table upon the steanl has had the desired effect Of pressing which is mounted a-receptacle or chamber open d creasmg the hat, whereupon the hat may be at its top; This receptacle may be either cyreleased and-removed from the receptacle. If

. lindrical or elliptical in cross section, and is pro 'desiredymeans are provided to evacuate the-un- 55 condensed steam from the receptacle before the hat is removed.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 3, the numeral it designates a supporting frame or table having uprights or legs i i which suitably support a table top 12. Both the frame It! and top 12 may be formed of wood, metal, or any other suitable material, as, desired. A substantially cylindrical receptacle i3 of drum-like formation is mounted on the top I? and is provided with vertical side walls l4 terminating in an open top. The bottom or base i5 of the receptacle i3 rests upon the top l2 and is provided with a central depending portion I6 projecting through an opening in the table and resting upon a plate i'l forming a part of the supporting frame ill. v A flexible sheet or bag I8 of canvas or other fabric is located adjacent the upper open end of the receptacle and completely envelops the same; that is, the sheet extends transversely of the receptacle and is adapted to materially assist in the brim pressing operation, as will be presently described. While the sheet I8 may be secured directly to the rolled top I!) of the receptacle, I prefer to secure the edges of the sheet so that it may be adjusted to different positions with respect to the interior of the receptacle. For this reason, the peripheral portions of the sheet are preferably riveted between inner and outer metal hoops or bands and 2 4, respectively. As shown in Figure 1, these hoops surround the receptacle and are slightly spaced from the same. In order to adjust the bands and sheet. 98, there are provided a plurality of spaced posts 22 secured to the table 12 exteriorly of the receptacle l3. Each post is provided with a slot 23, see Figures 2, and 3,

through which projects the shank of a bolt 24. Each bolt is secured to the outer ring 2| and is threadedly associated with a wing nut 25 which cooperates with the bolt to clamp the bands and sheet in different positions of adjustment upon the posts 22.

Referring again to Figure 1, a hat supporting pad 26 is mounted centrally of the receptacle by means of a hollow post 21. This post passes through the depressed portion l6 of the receptacle and is secured to the plate I l of the supporting frame H). The pad 26 comprises a flexible rubber or other fluid impervious and heat insulating material 28, which is preferably of oval contour and is of anarea to accommodate hats of various sizes. A metal base 29 directly supports the rubber pad 23, and this is directly connected to the top of the post 2'1. For a purpose to be hereinafter described, I also provide a sheet engaging button 30 which is connected to the top end of a post 3| passing through the center of the pad 26 and slidable in the post 21. The lower end of the post 3! is provided with an enlargement 32, and this, together with the post and button 33, is normally urged into upward position by means of a coil spring 33 positioned in the hollow post 2'! below the enlargement 32.

At one side of the table top I2 is mounted a rod 34, the upper end of which terminates a substantial distance above the open top of the receptacle [3. A clamp supporting arm 35 is rotatably mounted upon the upper end of rod 34, and carries at its free end a clamping member 36. The upper end of this member is threaded and passes through a threaded collar 31 pivotally secured between a yoke 35'. This yoke is provided with a threaded shank 36' engageable with a threaded opening in the free end of the arm 35. This arrangementpermits the yoke and member 36 to swing relative to the arm 35. At the same time the member 36 is capable of swinging movement on the yoke 35. The threaded connection between the member 36 and collar 31 is merely to permit the member to be adjusted to accommodate different size flange stands. Otherwise the member 36 and collar 31 are adapted to be locked against relative movement. The purpose of the member 36 is to detachably clamp a hat in brim pressing position upon the top of the flexible sheet [8. It is essential that the member 36 and arm 35 be locked in operative position, and I, therefore, provide a latch 38 extending longitudinally of the arm 35 and slidably supported thereby in elements 33 and 40 of the arm. The element 48 is of sufficient size to house a coil spring 4! which normally urges the latch element 33 into the position shown in Figure 1. The enclosed end of the latch. passes through an opening M in the hub 42 of the arm 35, and this opening is adapted to register with one of a plurality of spaced openings 43 formed in the upper end of the rod 34 and enclosed by the hub 42.

When it is desired to move the clamping member 36 to different positions of adjustment, it is necessary merely to pull out on the handle 44 against the tension of the spring 4| and release the inner end of the latch 38 from one of the holes 43. The clamping member and arm 35 may be moved about the rod 34 to the desired position of adjustment. When the handle is released, the spring will urge the end of the latch into engagement with one of the holes 43 with which the latch and hole 4| are in register, and

thereby lock the clamping member against movement relative to the rod 34.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7, there is disclosed a flexible clamping band 45 which is adapted to clamp a hat in a flange stand prior to the brim pressing operation and to protect the sweat band from injury. This band comprises one or more flexible steel strips 46 which is completely enclosed by a canvas or other fabric covering 41. As shown, the covering provides a pocket within which the metal band is inserted, and the width of the covering is substantially greater than the width of the spring, for the purpose of shielding a substantial portion of the interior ofa hat when the band is placed therein. The steel strip 46 is sufficiently flexible to permit the band to be coiled upon itself sothat it may be readily placed in position to clamp a hat to a flange stand.

With the construction as thus far described,

and assuming that it is desired to press the hat brim subsequent to steaming the exterior of the hat, a hat 48 is placed in'invertecl position in a flange stand .9, upon which a flange of the desired size and shape has been mounted. The operator then. coils the flexible steel band 45 upon.

itself and inserts it in the hat where it automatically expands to a position in which it will not only tightly clamp the hat to the flange stand, but will also completely cover the sweat band of the hat and a considerable portion of the interior of the hat above the sweat band. The flexible sheet or bag i8 will, of course, completely cover the upper portion of the receptacle l3 and will overlie the pad 26 and'button 30. The flange stand with the hat clamped therein is then placed Within the receptacle upon the flexible sheet with the hat in upright position. This flange stand may be positioned in the receptacle by hand, but I prefer to use the mechanism shown in the drawings, wherein the flange stand 49 is connected to a front of "the table 12.

pressing position in thereceptacleQ The element is so associated with the receptacle that the flange stand. and hat will contact the flexible sheet 18 and come to rest directly over the pad 26 and button 39 as clearly shown in Figure 1.

Ifv desired, another element 5! may be mounted I on the other side of the table so that one hat may be clamped in a flange stand, while the other hat is in the receptacle being pressed.

The clamping member 36 is then swung about the rod 3 until the member is over the flange: stand. In moving the member 36 to clamping position it is initially swung, with the'yoke 35,

out of a true vertical position. That is, the membar and yoke are rotated slightly on the arm 35. Inthis position the knob 5 5 on the lower end of the member 56, is placed on therecess 55 inthe top of the flange stand 49. Then the member is moved to a vertical position. This will produce a downward thrust of the member 36 on the flange stand and clamp the'flange stand and hat in the receptacle. The handle M may then be released, whereupon the latch 38'will lock the member 36 and arm 35 against rotarymovement with respect to the rod 34.

Referring to Figure 1,it will be observed that the button 39 will project upwardly within the interior of the hat and thereby stretch the flexib le sheet or bag l8 to some extent up within the crown of the hat. However, while the flange stand and hat are securely clamped upon the pad 26 in the receptacle [3, itis necessary that ad-' ditional means be provided to effectively pull the sheet 18 taut around the hat brim into brim.

pressing position. In the present instance, I have provided means which efliciently press and hold the flexible sheet in operation while the brim pressing operation is being performed. This means, see Figures 1 and 4, comprises a plurality of curved arms 56 which are pivotally mounted to swing toand from the flange stand and hat to accommodate hats of various sizes.

Four of these curved arms are provided, and

each is detachably mounted on a shaft 51 located adjacent the side wall it of the receptacle. As

shown in Figure 4, the arms 56 are preferably arranged in pairs, with the arms of each pair crossing one another and being spaced from the arms of the other pair when in inoperative position. Furthermore, the pairs of arms are so positioned that they will be at opposite ends of the hat as distinguished from opposite sides of the hat when the hat is placed in the receptacle.

receptacle, it will be observed that the shafts 51 of each pair will rotate in opposite directionsj that is, one shaft will rotate in a clockwise direction while the other shaft will rotate in a counterclockwise direction. The shafts 51 pass through the bottom I5 01' the receptacle and are pivotally mounted in'the supporting frame. 'll so that they may be rotated in unison to move the arms inwardly and outwardly with respect to. the flange stand and hat.

The means for effecting this unitary pivotal.

. confines of the saddle.

In moving the arms to'and from the center of the.

movement of'th e shafts 51 is as'followsc The shafts 51'pass through openings in .a spider or saddle, 58 which is supported. between a pair of B3 .overlapuand are connectedby' a slot and pin connection 65. I

Inorder that the levers and shafts may-be rotated in unison,.the levers 60 and 62 are pivoted to cross links Eli-and 61 respectively, see Figure 5.

The inner endsof these'links are pivoted, each to one. endof a central lever 68 which is centrally pivoted at .69 .to the saddle 58. -An operating lever 1.0 is rigidly secured to the lever 68 at its pivot point and has its free end projecting beyond the conveniently grasped by the operator and moved about the pivot-B5 when it is desired to rotate the shafts .51 and arms 55, the outer end is extended toward the front of the table, see Figure 5. Movementof the" operating lever 15! will ro-.

' tate the center lever .68 about its pivot, thereby actuating the links 66 and 61 which will, in turn, operate the levers 60, GI, 62, .63 in unison. This action -will:rotate the shafts 51 simultaneously and move the, arms 56.. inwardly orfoutwardly eachpositionof vadjustment. If desiredthe forwardly extending portion of the handle 10 may be supported .on-the frame Ill-whereby downward pressureon. the extreme front, end of the handle will liftthe handle clear of the ratchet teeth12;

.Normally, thearms- 56 are located uponv the bottom l5 of the receptacle l2. .However,. to secure thedesiredpressing .effect of the flexible sheet [8, it is nec'essary that arms 56 and their shafts 51- beraised into clamping engagement with the sheet. It, as well as being moved about their-pivots. The unitary. raising and lowering of thearms 56 and the shafts 51. is accomplished in the followingmanner. Normally the saddle 58 rests upon the pair ofspacedbars 59 which formpart of the supporting frameand extend longitudinally-thereof between the uprights II. These bars, similar to the saddle 58, are provided with: openings through which theshafts 51 project and which permit vertical sliding movement of the shafts 'during'the arm raising. operation.

A substantially U-shaped rcd13 has the upper end of its legs connected. to the saddle 58 at a pointsubstantiallycentrally thereof. The base portion 14 of the rod 13 is positioned a'substantial distance below the saddle, 58 and ispivotally connected togthe inner end ofia' foot operated lever 15. This lever is pivoted on a cross bar 16 extending, between the'uprights II and forming a part of the supporting frame ID. The outer end of the lever is provided .with a foot engag- 'ingj plate.,11. .jlAilatch .18 is pivoted to the base of the frame 10 and is provided with aplurality of ratchet teeth.1.9, which engage the-lever 15 and lockrthe same in different positions of adjustmenti'. Thelower end of the latch 18 is-provided.

In order that" it may be with a foot flange 88, and a coil spring 8| is positioned between this flange and the lower portion of the frame I!) to normally urge the latch into locking engagement with the lever Tl.

Assuming that the curved arms 56 are resting upon the bottom of the receptacle and it is desired to raise the same into contact with the flexible sheet l8, it is merely necessary to apply foot pressure to the plate 11. This will move the lever 15about its pivot and raise the U-shaped rod 13, and saddle 58. 'Since the levers 60, El, 62, 63 are supported on the saddle, these will also be raised,

. and consequently raise the shafts and curved the hat.

arms 56 in unison.

When it is desired to move the flexible sheet 18 into pressing engagement with the brim 82 of the hat, after the flange stand and hat have been clamped in the receptacle, as above described, the arms 56 may first be moved. about their pivots to adjust them to the correct size for the hat being pressed, by actuating the operating lever 18. This will bring the arms into contact with the sheet I8. Thereafter, the arms may be raised upwardly about the sheet to the position shown in Figure 1 by actuating the lever 15. If desired, this procedure maybe reversed; that is, the shafts and arms may first be raised, and the arms then rotated inwardly to press the sheet l8 about the hat and flange stand. How- I ever, regardless of the procedure, the sheet IE will be drawn tightly about the hat brim and maintained in this position as long as necessary. It is possible that suflicient pressure will be exerted on the sheet 18 by the arms 56 to move the button 38 and post 3| downwardly against the ,tension of the spring 33. However, this will have no material effect upon the pressing operation of the sheet, since the latter will merely be shifted slightly with respect to the hat brim. In any event, the sheet I8 will project upwardly into the crown of the hat and will be drawn tightly about the brim 82, pressing the same against the flange 50, so that a sharp crease will be produced at the point where the brim joins the crown of With the hat clamped to the sheet in this manner, steam is introduced into the bottom of the receptacle, as well as around the side walls of the same.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, and 4, there is disclosed a system of piping for heating the receptacle l3, and for admitting live steam to themteri'or of the receptacle. The numeral 83 indicates a steam line leading from any suitable source of steam supply, not shown; This line leads directlyto a steam coil 84, see Figures 1 and 4, which is positioned adjacent the vertical side wall of the receptacle, and also extends across a portion of the bottom l5. Steam passing through this coil is designated to preliminarily heat the receptacle prior to the brim pressing operation. The steam enters at the top of the'coil 84 and after circulating within the receptacle, leaves through a line 85 which connects with a steam kettle 86 whereby the steam for heating the receptacle is also utilized for heatingthe kettle 86. This kettle will be described in detail hereinafter.

Referring again to Figure 2, it will be observed that the steam line 83 is provided with a branch 81 leading to a point beneath the table I2. The pipe 81 terminates in an upwardly extending section 88 projecting through the bottom l5 of the receptac1el3. In order that the steam, as it enters the receptacle, will be distributed about that portionof the: flexible sheet l8 which is the brim 82 to the flange 58.

clamping the hat brim 82 to the flange 50, a bafile 89 is employed, having a hub 90 which is secured to and embraces the post 27. The branch line 8'! is provided with a valve ill, see Figure 2, for closing off this line until it is desired to admit steam into the bottom of the receptacle. Assuming, therefore, that the valve 9| is closed, steam will initially pass through the coil 84 and preliminarily heat the receptacle prior to clamping the hat and flange stand in operative position. After the hat has been clamped in the receptacle, as

shown in Figure l, the valve 9| is then opened to permit steam to pass through the branch line 8'! and discharge into the bottom of the receptacle. The baffie 89 will evenly distribute the steam so that it will readily come into contact with the portion of the flexible sheet 18 which is pressing Since the hat is clamped to the pad 26, steam is prevented from entering the interior of the hat. Furthermore, the sweat band and other interior portions of the crown of the hat are additionally protected from injury by the live steam, because of the clamping band 45.

The steam is introduced through the pipe section 88 as long as desired and until it is considered that the brim has been effectively pressed. Thereafter, the valve 9| is closed, and the hat and flange removed from the receptacle after first releasing the arms 56 and the clamping member 36. If it is'desired to remove the steam from the receptacle and cool the hat prior to its removal, means are provided to draw off the steam from the receptacle.

As will be observed, the post and hub 98 are provided with aligned openings 92 which communicate with a central opening 93 leading to a discharge pipe 94. This pipe, exteriorly of the frame it, is connected with the line 85 leading from the coil 8l,-and is adapted to be shut off therefrom by means of a valve 95. Assuming that the valve 98 leading to the kettle 86 is closed and the valve 85 is opened, steam will pass through the valve 85 and the discharge pipe 81. This will produce a suction or evacuating action upon the discharge pipe 94 whereby the steam remaining in the receptacle will be drawn through pipe 9 3 and discharged through the pipe 87. Of course, any condensation will readily pass from the lower end of the receptacle through the passage 93 and discharge pipe 94.

Referring again to Figures 2 and 4, it will be observed that the kettle 86 is of double-wall formation consisting of the inner wall t8 and the outer wall Q8. The steam passing through the pipe 855 from the lower end of the coil 84 will enter the top of the kettle and flow between the walls 88 and 89. Assuming that a hat is placed in the kettle to be steamed preliminary to the brim pressing operation, it will be initially heated by indirect contact through the wall 98 and will then be acted upon by direct contact with the steam. Furthermore the steam will quickly heat the inner Wall 88, and thereby prevent it from sweating and wetting the hat before it is acted on by direct contact with the steam. This steam will first pass down to the bottom of the kettle and then rise through the centrally disposed opening H18 in contact with the outside of the crown of the hat. A discharge pipe is connected to the lower end of the outer wall 88 to permit any condensation to easily drain from the kettle. An air escape opening M32 is provided adjacent the top of the kettle at a point opposite to the steam inlet to permit air to escape as the steamis introduced into thekettle. Otherwise, air would'be trapped in the top of the kettle and interfere with the steaming operat-ion. With the present construction, as above described, it will be apparent that the crown of a hat may be easily and quickly steamed prior to its introduction into the brim pressing .re-,

ceptacle, by the steam which is utilized to heat the walls of the receptacle. It is, of course, to be understood that the crown is to be lured in the usual manner prior to the brim pressing operation.

It is to be further understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For instance, it is possible that the brim pressing operation may be performed without the use of the pad 25, since the flexible band 45 will sufficiently protect the sweat band and interiorof the hat from the steam. Therefore, it is merely necessary that some means be provided to support the hat in raised position relative to the bottom of the receptacle. Of course, the pad 26 constitutes a good support and doubly insures the sweat band from being burned or otherwise injured by the steam.

I claim:

1. In a hat brim pressing machine, a receptacle open at its upper end, a flexible sheet forming a pressing element extending transversely oi said receptacle, means for clamping a hat in upright position on said sheet-whereby the sheet will be drawn into pressing engagement with the brim of the hat, and means for applying steam in the vicinity of the hat brim while the latter is pressed to the flexible sheet.

2. In a hat brim pressing machine, a receptacle open at its upper end, a flexiblev sheet form ing a pressing element extending transversely of said receptacle, means for clamping a hatin upright position on said sheet whereby the sheet will be drawn into pressing engagement with the brim of the hat, and means for introducing steam into the receptacle below the flexible sheet while the latter is clamped to the hat.

3. In a hat brim pressing machine, a receptacle open at its upper end, a flexible sheet forming a pressing element extending, transversely of said receptacle, means for clamping a hat in upright, position on said sheet whereby the sheet will be drawn into pressing engagement with the brim of the hat, a steam heating coil mounted within the receptacle beneath the flexible sheet and adapted to transmit heat tothe hat during the pressingoperation, and a steam pipe opening into the receptacle below the sheet to permit steam to be introduced into the vicinity of the hat brim while the latter is clamped to the flexible sheet.

4. In a hat brim pressing machine,'a'recep tacle open at its upper end, a flexible sheet forming a pressing element extending transversely of said receptacle, means for clamping a hat in upright position on said sheet whereby the sheet will be drawn into pressing engagement with the brim of the hat, means for introducing steam into the receptacle below the flexible sheet while the latter' is clamped to the hat, and means for sealing the interior-of the hat against the introduction of steam during the brim pressing operation. I 1

5. In a hat brim pressing machine, a receptacle open at its upper end, a flexible sheet form ing a pressing element extending transversely of said receptacle, means for clamping a' hat .in'

upright position on said sheet whereby the sheet will be drawn into pressing engagement with the brim of the hat, means for introducing steam into the receptacle below the flexible sheet while the latter is clamped to the hat, and means for sealing the interior of the hat against the introduction of steam during the brim pressing operation, said means including a fluid impervious pad supported within the receptacle and engageable with the portion of the flexible sheet contacting the brim.

6. In a hat brim pressing machine, a receptacle open at its upper end, a flexible sheet forming a pressing element extending transversely of said receptacle, a'clamping member located above the flexible sheet and adapted to press a hat into engagement therewith, means positioned within' the receptacle beneath the sheet and adapted to be moved into contact therewith to draw the latter into pressing engagement with the hat brim, and means for applying heat in the vicinity of the hat brim while the latter is pressed to the flexible sheet.

7. In a hat brim pressing machine, a receptacle open at its upper end, a flexible sheet forming a pressing element extending transversely of said receptacle, a clamping member located above the flexible sheet and adapted to press a hat into engagement therewith, a plurality of arms pivotally supported by the receptacle and adapted to be moved into contact with the flexible sheet to draw the latter into pressing engagement with the hat brim, and means for applying heat in the vicinity of the hat brim while the latter is pressed to the flexible sheet.

8. In a hat brim pressing machine, a receptacle open at its upper end, a flexible sheet forming a pressing element extending transversely of said receptacle, a clamping member located above the flexible sheet and adapted to press a hat into engagement therewith, a plurality of curved arms pivotally mounted. in the receptacle below the flexible sheet and adapted to be moved into contact with said sheet to draw the latter into pressing engagement with the hat brim, and means for applying heat in the vicinity of the hat brim while the latter is pressed to the sheet.

9. In a hat brim pressing machine, a receptacle open at its upper end, a flexible sheet forming a pressing element extending transversely of said receptacle, a clamping member located above the flexible sheet and adapted to press a'hat into engagement therewith, a plurality of curved arms pivotally mounted in the receptacle below the flexible sheet, means for moving the arms about their pivots to adjust them to difierent size hats, means for raising the arms to draw the flexible sheet into pressing engagement with the hat brim, and means for applying heat in the vicinity of the hat brim while the latter is pressed to the sheet.

10. In a hat brim pressing machine, a receptacle open at its upper end, a flexible sheet forming a pressing element extending transversely of said receptacle, meansfor clamping a hat in upright position on said sheet,'whereby the sheet will be drawninto pressing engagement with the brim of the hat, a flexible fluid impervious pad supported within the receptacle. beneath the flexible sheet and adapted to'contact the sheet where the latter engages the inner portion of the hat brim, to seal the interior of the hat against the introduction of steam, and a resiliently mounted post extending upwardly through the pad and engageablewith the flexible sheet within the confines of the hat to facilitate the pressing action of the sheet.

11. In a hat brim pressing machine, a receptacle open at its upper end, a flexible sheet forming a pressing element extending transversely of said receptacle, a hat support including a flange stand, a flexible covered metal strip adapted to be coiled and positioned within a hat to removably clamp the hat in the stand and protect the sweat band of the hat against the action of steam, means for clamping the hat and stand in upright position on said sheet whereby the sheet will be drawn into pressing engagement with the brim of the hat, and means for introducing steam into the receptacle below the flexible sheet while the latter is clamped to the hat.

12. In a hat steaming and pressing machine, a hollow receptacle, a steam heating coil positioned adjacent the side walls of the receptacle,

means for supporting and clamping a hat within the coil in position to press the brim of the hat, means for introducing steam into the receptacle for use in the brim pressing operation, and a hat steaming kettle positioned exteriorly of the receptacle and connected to the lower end of the heating coil whereby the steam after passing through the coil will enter the kettle and effect a steaming operation on the hat prior to the brim pressing operation.

13. In a hat brim pressing machine, a receptacle open at its upper end, a flexible sheet forming a pressing element extending transversely of said receptacle, means for clamping a hat in upright position on said sheet whereby the sheet will be drawn into pressing engagement with the brim of the hat, means for introducing steam into the receptacle below the flexible sheet while the latter is clamped to the hat, means for sealing the interior of the hat against the introduction of steam during the brim pressing operation, and a drain pipe connected to the bottom of the receptacle for permitting the steam and condensation to discharge from the receptacle.

14. In a hat brim pressing machine, a receptacle open at its upper end, a flexible sheet forming a pressing element extending transversely of said receptacle, a clamping member located above the flexible sheet and adapted to press a hat into engagement therewith, and means positioned within the receptacle beneath the sheet and adapted to be moved into contact therewith to draw the latter into pressing engagement with the hat brim, said means permitting relative movement between said sheet and means to provide uniform pressure upon all portions of the hat brim.

15. In a hat brim pressing machine, a receptacle open at its upper end, a flexible sheet forming a pressing element extending transversely of said receptacle, a clamping member located above the flexible sheet and adapted tov press a hat into engagement therewith, and a resiliently mounted post positioned within the receptacle beneath the sheet and adapted to cooperate with the clamping member to draw the sheet into pressing engagement with the hat brim, said post being unattached to said sheet and capable of movement relative thereto to permit uniform pressure upon all portions of the hat brim.

16. In a hat brim pressing machine, a receptacle open at its upper end, a flexible sheet forming a pressing element extending transverselyof said receptacle, a clamping member located above the flexible sheet and adapted to press a hat into engagement therewith, and a plurality of curved arms pivotally mounted in the receptacle below the flexible sheet and adapted to be moved into contact with said sheet to draw the latter into pressing engagement with the hat brim.

17. In a hat brim pressing machine, a receptacle opened at its upper end, a flexible sheet forming a pressing element extending transversely of said receptacle, a clamping member located above the flexible sheet and adapted to press a hat into engagement therewith, a shaft supporting saddle mounted below the receptacle, a plurality of shafts pivotally mounted in said saddle and projecting upwardly into the receptacle below the flexible sheet, sheet engaging arms carried by the upper ends of the shafts, and means for operating said saddle and shafts to move the arms into contact with the flexible sheet and thereby draw the latter into pressing engagement with the hat brim.

18. In a hat .brim pressing machine, a receptacle opened at its upper end, a flexible sheet forming a pressing element extending transversely of said receptacle, a clamping member located above the flexible sheet and adapted to press a hat into engagement therewith, a shaft supporting saddle mounted below the receptacle, a plurality of shafts pivotally mounted in said saddle and projecting upwardly into the receptacle below the flexible sheet, sheet engaging arms carried by the upper ends of the shafts, means for raising and lowering the saddle, and means for rotating the shafts about their pivots to move the arms into contact with the sheet to draw the latter into pressing engagement with the hat brim.

19. In a hat brim pressing machine, a receptacle open at its upper end, a flexible sheet form ing a pressing element extending transversely of said receptacle, means for clamping a hat in upright position on said sheet whereby the sheet will be drawn into pressing engagement with the brim of the hat, a baffle mounted in the receptacle below the flexible sheet and adapted to direct steam into the vicinity of the hat brim, and means for introducing steam into the receptacle below the baffle.

20. In a hat brim pressing machine, a receptacle open at its upper end, a flexible sheet forming a pressing element extending transversely of said receptacle and having its marginal portions projecting exteriorly of said receptacle, a band secured to the marginal portions of said sheet exteriorly of the receptacle, a plurality of posts positioned about the receptacle, means for adjustably clamping said band to said posts to adjust the sheet relative to the receptacle, and means for clamping a hat to said sheet whereby the sheet will be drawn into pressing engagement with the hat.

21. In a hat brim pressing machine, a receptacle open at its upper end, a flexible sheet forming a pressing element extending transversely of said receptacle, and means for clamping a hat and flange stand into pressing engagement with said flexible sheet, said means including an upright post supported on said machine and extending above the flexible sheet, an element carried by the upper post and movable toward and away from a position over the sheet, and a clamping member movably carried by said element and adapted to be swung to an upright position into clamping engagement with the flange stand.

22. In a hat brim pressing machine, a receptacle open at its upper end, a flexible sheet formpivotally mounted at the vprising a double walled v 4 ing a pressing element extending transversely of on theiopposite side of the kettle from the steamsaid receptacle, and means for clamping-ahat and flange stand into pressing engagement with said flexible sheet, said means including "an upright post-supported on said machine and extending above the flexible sheet, a horizontal bar upper end of said post and movable toward and away from a position over the sheet, and a clamping member pivotally mounted on the free end of said horizontal bar and adapted to'be swungto an upright'position whereby its lower end will engage the flange" downward pressure on the stand stand and exert to press the stand and hat against the flexible sheet.

23. Adevice for steaming hat crowns combowl shaped hat receiv- 7 ing kettle, the inner wall of which is adapted to receive and directly support a hat and which is imperforate except for a centrally disposed opena ing in its base, the outer wall having a steam;

inlet adjacent its top and an air outlet positioned inlet, and

a valve positioned exteriorly of said kettle for controlling the flow of steam through said steam inlet in the outer wall, said valve when in open position permitting steam to enter through saidinlet to initially contact the outer face of the inner wall and heat the same, and

' thereafter pass directly and freely through the opening in the base ofthe inner wallinto contact with the hatcrown, said outer wall being provided with a discharge opening in its base opposite the opening in the inner wall.

24. A device for use'in steaming and pressing a hat whichhas been positioned.- in a flange, comprising a flexible strip capable of being coiled.

upon itself to fit within the hat and clamp the sameto the flange, and-a covering for said strip having a longitudinally extending pocket within which the strip is positioned, said covering being at least the :length of the ordinary sweat band in orderto completely seal the same.

LEMEY G. BLOUNT. 

